Dual fluorescent fitting - help please

HI All

Another weird thing.... I 'won' a couple of double fluorescent fittings - probably 2ft tubes - a pair of them.

They seem to share a common ballast - but each tube has its own separate starter.

When switched on, only one tube strikes. With the other one I can see the heaters on - but it won't strike. If, after the first tube has struck I remove the starter from the 'dead' tube, it will then light - but won't light from cold.

Swapping the starters makes the fault move from tube to tube. Swapping a starter from a working 4ft single unit into the fault starter position doesn't improve the situation. The 'faulty' starter works fine on the 4ft single unit.

I'm confused !

Are there different types of starters - or is there likely to be a fault on the twin ballast ?

Any suggestions (apart from 'go buy a new unit !)

Thanks Adrian - Suffolk UK ======return email munged================= take out the papers and the trash to reply

Reply to
Adrian Brentnall
Loading thread data ...

You are using 2 x 2' series starters , aren't you??

Reply to
Grumpy owd man

On Thu, 19 Jan 2006 20:50:10 +0000,it is alleged that Adrian Brentnall spake thusly in uk.d-i-y:

Sounds odd to me but might be normal, smaller fixtures tend to be very 'individual'.

There are different types of starters yes, but if it's within the wattage rating, it should be ok.

Check the earthing. (Shouldn't be critical to the operation on a switchstart fitting but you never know).

Kick it? (J/K)

Reply to
Chip

There are different ratings of starters - the one from the 4' single might not be rated for a 2'. It is possible to buy ones which are rated from 4-20W, then 58-80W on the same starter - skipping the 36W for a 4' tube.

Check the rating on the tube, and compare it with what is written (hopefully) on the bodies of the starters. They're only a pound or so from a wholesaler - worth a try before skipping the unit.

Reply to
Gary Cavie

you've got the wrong type of starter in it. 50p and you're done.

NT

Reply to
meow2222

Hi All

Thanks for the reponses

I'd (wrongly) assumed that a starter is a starter is a starter.....

I'll take the one that works and see my friendly local electrical supplier - don't know if they'll sell me just the one, though.....

The light is installed in the garage so that SWMBO can get to the tumble-dryer without falling over all of my 'projects'...... "Yes - very nice dear - but can't you get _both_ tubes to light up"......

Thanks again ! Adrian ======return email munged================= take out the papers and the trash to reply

Reply to
Adrian Brentnall

Classic - starter is dead (welded contacts).

Doesn't make sense, unless in moving it around you managed to unweld the contacts.

Twin series tube circuit uses different starters than single tubes (actually it uses same starter as used for 120V mains circuits). The rating is written on the can.

Reply to
Andrew Gabriel

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.